#1 New York Times bestselling author Philippa Gregory teams with two eminent historians to explore the historical characters in the real-life world behind her Wars of the Roses novels.

PHILIPPA GREGORY and her fellow historians describe the extraordinary lives of the heroines of her Cousins’ War books: Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedford; Elizabeth Woodville, wife of Edward IV; and Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII.

In her essay on Jacquetta, Philippa Gregory uses original documents, archaeology, and histories of myth and witchcraft to create the first-ever biography of the young duchess who survived two reigns and two wars to become the first lady at two rival courts. David Baldwin, established authority on the Wars of the Roses, tells the story of Elizabeth Woodville, the first commoner to marry a king of England for love; and Michael Jones, fellow of the Royal Historical Society, writes of Margaret Beaufort, the almost-unknown matriarch of the House of Tudor.

In the introduction, Gregory writes revealingly about the differences between history and historical fiction. How much of a role does speculation play in writing each? How much fiction and how much fact should there be in a historical novel? How are female historians changing our view of women in history?

The Women of the Cousins’ War is beautifully illustrated with rare portraits and source materials. As well as offering fascinating insights into the inspirations behind Philippa Gregory’s fiction, it will appeal to all with an interest in this period.

Quotes & Awards

“The publication of two books this season by Philippa Gregory gives us not only two more fascinating portraits of the English Wars of the Roses, it also opens a window onto the way the bestselling author of The Other Boleyn Girl applies her craft.”

Los Angeles Times

“[Gregory] again brings insight to English history, recreating the power struggle between two of the nation’s most notable women in a tale fresh for modern readers. There’s no question that she is the best at what she does.”

Associated Press

“An engrossing introduction to three courageous matriarchs who shaped English history.”

Publishers Weekly

“An engaging and interesting read…Fans of Gregory’s novels should enjoy this glimpse into both her creative process and her essays on the three women who served as inspiration for her Wars of the Roses novels.”

Post and Courier (Charleston)

Listener Opinions

Judy | 2/19/2014

" Philippa Gregory is well-known for her historical fiction (I must admit that I have not read any) and in The Women of the Cousins' War, she seems intent on demonstrating that she should also be considered an academic historian. Gregory wrote the essay on Jacquetta, Duchess of Bedfore, David Baldwin wrote the biography of Elizabeth Woodville the wife of Edward IV, and Michael Jones examined the life of Margaret Beaufort, mother of Henry VII. A very interesting book that places each of these women into their proper historical context and examines their impact on the events surrounding the War of the Roses. "

Marilyn | 2/18/2014

" I very much enjoyed the introduction by the author. I've read or listened to all three of her books in "The Cousins' War" series and liked them. This book was borrowed thru local library and I didn't have time to finish the entire book but I did skim good parts of it and I think it is a good source of material on the women. "

Jan Daulton | 2/16/2014

" interesting perspectives on women that we have read about, but did not know that much about! "

Diane S. | 2/7/2014

" 3.5 Not as much info as I would like about these woman, though Gregory does explain in her introduction that a lot just doesn't exist on woman from that time period as well as others. Unless a woman was involved in something big in her day, like Joan of Arc, there just isn't detailed written records. It is however well written, did like what was there, and the bibliography and introduction is very informative and interesting. "

Kelly Ward-smith | 1/29/2014

" Really great introduction about women in history "

Karoline | 1/20/2014

" Easy read for a non-fiction. "

Mandy | 1/17/2014

" great insight on her writing style. "

Konnie | 12/17/2013

" Fabulous book! Never thought I would enjoy Tutor history as much as I do. I cannot wait until her newest book in The Cousins War series comes in the mail this week! "

Melisende d'Outremer | 12/12/2013

" Two chapters (well lengthy introduction and one chapter) and nothing new here for me - have yet to read the three novels which I will wgen I get through this. "

Tina | 12/9/2013

" Very interesting read if you like history. This is a non fiction book, based on the research of three professors. "

J | 8/12/2013

" Obviously very well researched but, I feel like I already read all of it in The White Queen, The Red Queen and The Lady of the Waters, albeit in a more narrative fashion. "

Rio (Lynne) | 5/22/2013

" 3.25 Stars. I thoroughly enjoyed Jones' part about Margaret Beaufort. I liked Baldwin's section on Elizabeth. She wasn't the conniving upstart I have been reading about lately. As for PG's take on Jacquetta, it was more Melusine and witchcraft oriented than I would have liked it to have been. "

Alicia | 5/3/2013

" Interesting read. I was a little bored in some parts (the beginning) but it did pick up :) "

Nadine | 4/23/2013

" a really good biographical account of three incredible women of the cousin's war "

Sarah | 4/15/2013

" I found this collection of essays an engaging and enjoyable read. The War of the Roses can be a very complex part of English History to follow. I found this book to be ideal for anyone who is new to this piece of English history. "

Aria Williams | 12/20/2012

" This book is light and easy to read gave a great essay on all three women and their roles in society in that time period . "

kelly | 10/18/2012

" It was enjoyable but I think I could have skipped it... "

Elizabeth Moffat | 10/3/2012

" Philippa gregory is one of my favourite writers and I was interested to see what this non fiction account of the three women of the cousins war would be like after loving her fiction. I did find it interesting if not a bit repetitive. Still worth a read though! "

Angie | 6/10/2012

" Interesting look at Jacquetta Rivers, Elizabeth Woodville and Margaret Beaufort. I didn't really learn anything new, but found it to be well written. I just wish that Phillipa Gregory would write about Henry VI's wife, Elizabeth of York. "

Melody | 4/20/2012

" No, it wasn't the most in-depth. However, this was meant to be a cursory, broad stroke look at these figures for readers who don't delve into histories outside of fiction that often. In that vein, I think it accomplished its job. "

Anna | 10/21/2011

" More of a historical essay on Three of the Women involved in the War of the Roses. "

Liz | 10/14/2011

" The authors give fair warning that few facts are know about Jacquetta, Elizabeth and Margaret and make a good case that the lack of information is a loss to history. Overall, however, what is available does not seem, to me, to be enough to sustain the book as written. Shall try the novels.
"

Jan | 10/10/2011

" interesting perspectives on women that we have read about, but did not know that much about!
"

Sheree | 10/10/2011

" Not a typical Phillippa Gregory book. More of a biography and a bit more tedious to get thru.
"

kelly | 10/1/2011

" It was enjoyable but I think I could have skipped it...
"

Elizabeth | 9/17/2011

" Philippa gregory is one of my favourite writers and I was interested to see what this non fiction account of the three women of the cousins war would be like after loving her fiction. I did find it interesting if not a bit repetitive. Still worth a read though!
"

Other Titles by Philippa Gregory:

About the Author

Phillipa Gregory is an internationally and New York Times bestselling author of historical novels. She earned her BA from the University of Sussex and a PhD in eighteenth-century literature from Edinburgh University. She is the author of the Wideacre trilogy, the Earthly Joys series, and the Tudor series, which includes the enormously successful book The Other Boleyn Girl. There are currently over a million copies of The Other Boleyn Girl in print in the US alone; it was also made into a successful major motion picture starring Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johansson, and Eric Bana. Gregory also regularly contributes short stories, features, and reviews to a number of newspapers and magazines.

About the Narrator

Bianca Amato, winner of ten Earphones Awards and the Audie Award for best narration, is an actress born and raised in South Africa. Trained at the University of Cape Town’s Drama school, she went on to work in theater and television in South Africa before moving to New York in 2002.

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